Collapsible net device

ABSTRACT

A collapsible net device for stopping the flight of projectiles such as golf balls includes a main member forming a first closed loop. The main member has a main outer perimeter and a plurality of detachably connected poles. The poles connect to form the first closed loop and easily detach for storage. The fabric portion connects to the main outer perimeter of the main member for stopping the flight of projectiles such as golf balls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This present invention relates to a net device. More specifically, this present invention relates to an improved collapsible net device that enhances, disassembly, portability, storage, and efficiently stops the flight of golf balls.

[0002] Various sports such as golf involve hitting or throwing projectiles such as golf balls toward a desired direction in a field. For practice purposes, it is desirable to capture the ball before it travels a large distance or strikes objects or people. Existing capturing structures include a net attached to the perimeter of a capturing frame and a rigid support frame attached to the capturing frame. The support frame is attached to the capturing frame and provides a base allowing the capturing structure to be disposed on the ground.

[0003] A disadvantage of such structures is that they cannot be easily collapsed and efficiently stored. This is because both the support frame and the capturing frame must be properly folded and placed in a container. Further use of a capturing frame and a supporting frame makes such structures more expensive to manufacture and harder to carry due to increased weight.

[0004] There are portable net devices available. They tend to have members that are formed from a single continuous piece. Some are coilable for easy storage. Even the coilable portable net devices are limited, as to how small they can be coiled for storage. The coilable portable net devices are limited by how tightly the coilable members can coil. Once the members are coiled they have a resilient spring, which tends to cause the members to expand again to a larger size.

[0005] Fabric sleeves are used on coilable portable net devices to accept the structural support members. Sleeves can be cumbersome, since the support members often must be threaded through the entire length of the fabric sleeve. If the coilable members are left in the fabric sleeves, then the entire device is more cumbersome to store. The fabric and the coilable members must both be handled at the same time when coiling for storage. There is a need for a fabric portion that easily detaches from the support members.

[0006] There are tents available that have separable poles for collapsing and disassembly of the tent. Typically, the tents have fabric sides that are solid fabric. Solid fabric sides create added weight and bulkiness, which is unnecessary for a collapsible net device that stops and retains projectiles. The methods of attaching the tent fabric to the tent support members have disadvantages when applied to a collapsible net device. Grommets in the fabric are often used for tents, which require that stakes be driven through the grommets into the ground. The use of stakes in the assembly process requires extra effort. The stakes are prone to being misplaced and lost. Fabric sleeves are also used on tents to accept the structural support members. As previously mentioned, sleeves can be cumbersome, since the support members often must be threaded through the entire length of the fabric sleeve.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a collapsible net device that can be made very compact for storage. A very compact collapsible net devices needs to be easily disassembled, folded, efficiently stored in a container and Transported. There is also a need for such a golf net to be easy to assemble and easy to carry. The fabric portion should easily assemble and disassemble from the structural members. Preferably, such a collapsible golf net device should be easy to manufacture, light in weight and less expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention is contrived to overcome the conventional disadvantages. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a collapsible net device that facilitates assembly and disassembly by simplifying the construction through the use of detachably connected poles.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible net device that enhances portability by disassembling into small compact parts. A further object of the present invention is to efficiently stop the flight of projectiles such as golf balls.

[0010] The collapsible net device comprises a main member forming a first closed loop. Detachably connected poles assemble to form the main member. An elastic string can be fixedly disposed through the separable poles. The elastic string facilitates assembly, as the elastic string maintains the male end of a pole in general proximity to the female end of an adjacent pole.

[0011] The net device further comprises a fabric portion radially extending from the first closed loop for flexibly stopping the flight of projectiles such as golf balls. There is also provided a base member forming a second closed loop, which can also be assembled from detachably connected poles.

[0012] There is also provided a means for supporting the main member in a substantially erected but tilted position. The support means can be formed by a support rod having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the upper end is detachably engaged in the top hole of the fabric portion and the lower end is detachably engaged in the bottom hole of the base member.

[0013] The upper end and the lower end of the support means can respectively have a protrusion extending from each tip thereof, wherein the protrusion is less in diameter than each of the upper and lower ends so as to stably support the main member and the base member.

[0014] The collapsible net device can further comprise at least one strap having two ends, the one end attached to the main member about the top hole and the other end attached to the base member about the bottom hole, wherein the strap longitudinally covers the support means. The strap may be preferably formed of an elastic material.

[0015] Further, the collapsible net device may have an arc support substantially covering less than about one-third of the perimeter interior rim so that the projectiles stopped in the fabric portion can be maintained behind the arc support. The arc support can be formed of a fabric material.

[0016] Flexible separable poles that easily bend can create continuous loops of differing diameter. One or more poles can be left out of the loop. The remaining poles can be bent to a slightly greater curvature to complete a full circle loop. The diameter of the loop is slightly less, since one pole is removed. In a similar manner, the support member can also be slightly reduced in size when the support member is formed from separable poles. The fabric port-on will slightly sag when a smaller diameter loop is formed. In this way, the tightness or looseness of the fabric portion can be adjusted. Some projectiles can have a tendency to bounce off of a tightly strung fabric portion and out of the collapsible net device.

[0017] In further description, a collapsible net device for stopping the flight of projectiles, such as golf balls, includes a fabric portion. Also, a first set of a plurality of detachably connected poles that are received by the fabric portion. The poles form a main member. The poles connect to form a first closed loop. The poles easily detach for storage.

[0018] A base member forms a second closed loop. The base member is attachable to the main member. The base member is capable of providing ground support for the net device. A support means supports the main member. The support means is capable of being placed between the main member and the base member, so that the main member is disposed at a substantial angle of less than ninety degrees with respect to the base member. The support means being substantially rigid so that when the support means is in place, the main member does not collapse onto the base member.

[0019] The advantages of the present invention are numerous. First, the collapsible net device according to the present invention substantially improves portability by simplifying its structure. Second, separable poles that easily detach are connected to each other, thereby further facilitating storage, assembly and disassembly of the net device. Third, an angle between the closed loops is easy to adjust using the support means, thereby enhancing usability.

[0020] Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention is obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0022]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a collapsible net device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 1a is an exploded perspective view of the main member, fabric portion and separated poles.

[0024]FIG. 2 is a front view of the collapsible net device in FIG. 1.

[0025]FIG. 3 is a side view of the collapsible net device in FIG. 1.

[0026]FIG. 4 is a rear view of the collapsible net device in FIG. 1.

[0027]FIG. 5 is a top view of the collapsible net device in FIG. 1.

[0028]FIG. 6a is a front view of the female end of a curved pole receiving the male end of an adjacent pole.

[0029]FIG. 6b is a front view of the female end of a straight pole receiving the male end of an adjacent pole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] With reference to the accompanying drawings, a collapsible net device 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[0031] The collapsible net device 10 serves to stop the flight of projectiles such as golf balls. As shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, the collapsible net device 10 comprises a main member 12 and a base member 14 each of which forms a closed loop.

[0032] A first set of a plurality of detachably connected poles 15 connect to form the main member 12. The base member 14 is formed by a second set of a plurality of detachably connected poles 15. The poles 15 connect to form the first closed loop of the main member 12 and the second closed loop of the base member 14. The poles 15 can easily detach for storage and reattach for quick assembly. The poles 15 can be flexible and straight. The straight poles 15 can be slightly bendable to form the first closed loop and a substantially circular main member 12. Alternately, the poles 15 can be curved, rather than straight, to form a substantially circular main member 12.

[0033] In a similar manner, the poles 15 can be straight and slightly bendable to form the second closed loop and a substantially circular base member 14. Alternately, the poles 15 can be curved to form a substantially circular base member 14. Fiberglass is a flexible material that can be used when the poles 15 are straight. Curved poles 15 can be more rigid, requiring less flexibility, thus metal can be used for the curved poles 15. Flexible materials, such as bendable fiberglass, can also be used for the curved poles 15.

[0034] The poles have a male end 17 and a female end 18, as shown in FIGS. 6a and 6 b. The male end 17 is slightly tapered and reduced in diameter, in relation to the female end 18. The reduced diameter male end 17 slides into the female end 18 of an adjacent pole 15. The tapering of the male end 17 provides a secure connection between adjacent poles 15.

[0035] The poles 15 are assembled together to form a continuous loop. Straight poles 15 are flexible with a slight bendability, so a curve can be created in the poles 15 during assembly. The straight poles 15 are strong, yet pliable, so the straight poles 15 easily bend to form a curved continuous circle. The straight poles 15 are pliable, thus they do not break or deform when bent. Fiberglass can be used to create flexible poles 15. Additional pressure is applied to the straight poles 15 to create a greater bend in the poles 15.

[0036] Flexible straight poles 15 are easier to use on a larger diameter continuous circle. A smaller diameter continuous circle assembled from bendable straight poles, should utilize either a more pliable material or thinner diameter poles 15. The poles 15 can be curved, so they assemble together in a continuous loop. Occasionally poles are misplaced or damaged. Flexible poles 15 have the advantage of bending so the remaining poles 15 can be used to assemble a slightly smaller diameter loop.

[0037] An elastic string 60 can be fixedly disposed through the separable poles 15. As shown in FIGS. 6a and 6 b, the elastic string 60 facilitates assembly, as the elastic string 60 maintains the male end 17 of a pole 15 within general proximity to the female end 18 of an adjacent pole 15. At least one connection of the poles 15 would not have an elastic string 60 so that the rings 23 can slip over and encircle the poles 15.

[0038] A fabric portion 22 is attached to the main member 12. Rings 23 are used to attach the fabric portion 22 to the main member 12. The rings 23 are slid over the poles 15 when the poles 15 are detached. The poles 15 are then connected, with the rings 23 encircling the poles 15. In the drawings the rings 23 are shown enlarged, to show greater detail. The rings 23 actually hold the fabric portion 22 tight to the main member 12, so the fabric portion 22 is substantially secure and has minimal slippage upon the main member 12.

[0039] The fabric portion 22 can include an interior rim 16 attached to the perimeter of the fabric portion 22. The rings 23 are attached to the interior rim 16. The interior rim 16 can be made from plastic, fabric or other materials. The interior rim 16 needs to be sufficiently strong, to securely maintain the rings 23 fixedly attached during impact of the projectiles upon the fabric portion 22. Also, the fabric portion 22 has a top hole 19 that accepts the support means 30.

[0040] The fabric portion 22 has the plurality of rings 23. The fabric portion 22 radially extends from its interior rim 16 for flexibly stopping the flight of projectiles (not shown) such as golf balls. The fabric portion 22 can take many shapes including about; circular, square, triangular, rectangular or elliptical. When the poles 15 are detached, a ring 23 can be slid between the poles 15. The rings 23 encircle the poles 15, when the poles are connected. For disassembly, the poles 15 are detached and the rings 23 are slid off of the poles 15. Once the rings 23 are removed from the poles 15, the fabric portion 22 can be folded and the poles 15 can be bundled together for easy transport and storage.

[0041] Most of the rings 23 encircle the main member 12. Some of the rings 23 encircle the base member 14. An individual ring 23 can encircle both the main member 12 and the base member 14. In one embodiment there are three rings 23 that encircle both the main member 12 and the oase member 14. These rings 23 connect the main member to the base member at about the base node 28 and at about the main node 20. The rings 23 can be leather, cloth, metal, plastic or other materials.

[0042] About twelve rings can be used to attach the fabric portion 22 to a main member 12 having a diameter of about between two to four feet. A greater quantity of rings 23 should be used to attach the fabric portion 22 to a main member 12 having a larger diameter. The rings 23 should be spaced close enough together to hold the fabric portion 22 securely in place. An inadequate number of rings 23 will allow the fabric portion 22 to sag and gaps will form between the fabric portion 22 and the main member 12. The projectiles can escape through the gaps, when the gaps are large and the fabric portion 22 is hanging very loosely.

[0043] The fabric portion 22 forms a net fabrication, wherein threads are interwoven or knotted together to form a plurality of meshes 24. Here, each of the meshes 24 may be formed smaller than a regular golf ball. Although not shown, the fabric portion 22 can be entirely, partially or in combination made from netting with meshes 24 or solid fabric. A canvas material can be used for a solid fabric portion 22. The fabric portion 22 can substantially cover the main member 12 or less than all of the main member 12. For example, the fabric portion 22 can substantially cover about two-thirds of the main member 12.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 1a, the fabric portion 22 is separated into a first section 64 and a second section 66. The first section 64 is a solid fabric and the second section 66 is a net with meshes 24. The net of the first section 64 is attached to the fabric of the second section 66, thus forming an intersection. The fabric portion 22 has an interface strip 68 that joins the first section to the second section. The interface strip 68 is attached to and covers substantially all the intersection of the first section 64 and the second section 66. For clarity, the base member 14 is not shown.

[0045] Referring principally to FIG. 1, the interior rim 16 forms the top hole 19. The main member 12 has a main node 20 cross-opposing the top hole 19 so that a distance between the top hole 19 and the main node 20 can approximately make a diameter of the circular main member 12. The base member 14 has a bottom hole 26 and a base node 28. The base node 28 is disposed at a lowermost point of the circular main member 12. The base node 28 and the main node 20 are approximately adjacent to each other.

[0046] The bottom hole 26 can be drilled into one of the poles 15 that forms the base member 14. Alternately, a tab 27 can encircle a pole 15, with the tab 27 having the bottom hole 26. The top hole 19 can be formed in the interior rim 16, which is more durable than the fabric portion 22. The base node 28 is cross-opposing the bottom hole 26.

[0047] The main member 12 is supported by a means 30 for supporting the main member 12, shown in FIG. 3. The support means 30 can be formed from a third set of a plurality of detachably connected poles 15. The poles 15 connect to form the support means 30. The poles 15 can easily detach for storage. The poles 15 are straight. Typically, the support means 30 is straight, but a slight bend or curve can be added to the support means 30.

[0048] The main member 12 can be disposed at a substantial angle substantially less than ninety degrees. The support means 30 maintains the main member 12 at a substantially erect, but tilted position. A preferable angle of tilt is about 30 to 35 degrees, but other angles of tilt can he used. The tilt allows the fabric portion 22 to be spaced apart from the main member 12 after installation to facilitate receipt and retention of projectiles. The net space 29 formed by this tilted construction of the main member 12 is best illustrated in FIG. 3. The support means 30 may be assembled from detachably connected poles 15 or selected from a rod, a pipe, and other commonly known support means.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 3, the support means 30 has an upper end 32 and a lower end 34. The upper end 32 is detachably engaged in the top hole 19 of the fabric portion 22 and the lower end 34 is detachably engaged in the bottom hole 26 of the base member 14. The support means 30 may be adjustable to increase or decrease an angle between the main member 12 and the base member 14.

[0050] The upper end 32 and the lower end 34 of the support means 30 respectively have a protrusion 36 extending from each tip thereof, wherein the protrusion 36 is less in diameter than each of the upper and lower ends 32, 34 so as to stably support the main member 12 and the base member 14. The protrusions 36 are received by the top hole 19 and the bottom hole 26. For a better performance, the upper end 32 and the lower end 34 of the support means 30 are respectively formed in a hook so as to be stably hooked into the corresponding top and bottom holes 19, 26.

[0051] The support means 30 can be assembled from poles 15. Alternately, as shown in FIG. 3, the support means 30 comprises a first half 38, a second half 40, an elastic string (not shown), and a nut closure 42 having a closed end 44 and an open end 46. The first half 38 has a first inner end 48 fixedly carried on the closed end 44 of the nut closure 42 and the second half 40 has a second inner end 50 detachably carried on the open end 46 of the nut closure 42. The elastic string (not shown) is fixedly disposed through the first half 38 and the second half 40 of the support means 30 so that the second half 40 can be elastically disassembled from the first half 38 of the support means 30.

[0052] According to the first embodiment, the main member 12 and the base member 14 form overlapping loops by a slight manual enforcement thereon. When the support means 30 is detached from the respective members 12, 14 for disassembly of the collapsible net device 10, the main member 12 rotates downward under the force of gravity and lies on top of the base member 14. The poles 15 of both the main member 12 and the base member 14 can then be disassembled. The rings 23 and the fabric portion 22 can be removed from the poles 15, as the poles 15 are disassembled.

[0053] Referring particularly to FIG. 4, the collapsible net device 10 according to the present invention further comprises at least one strap 52 having two ends 54, 56. The one end 54 is attached to the main member 12 about the top hole 19 and the other end 56 is attached to the base member 14 about the bottom hole 26. Also, the strap 52 may longitudinally cover the support means 30. The strap 52 may be preferably formed of an elastic material. Referring particularly to FIG. 5, there are two additional straps 52′, 52″ that further support the main member 12 in relation to the base member 14.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 5, the collapsible net device 10 may further have an arc support 58 substantially covering less than about one-third of the interior rim 16 so that the projectiles stopped in the fabric portion 22 can be maintained behind the arc support 58. Here, the arc support 58 may be formed of a fabric material such as synthetic cloth or natural cloth.

[0055] Although not shown, the collapsible net device 10 may include more than one support means 30. Additional support means 30 provide increased stability between the main member 12 and the base member 14.

[0056] As discussed above, an overall structure of the collapsible net device 10 comprises a pair of members 12, 14 and a support means 30. One or more of which may have a plurality of detachably connected poles 15. For installation of the net device 10, the net device 10 is removed from its storage bag (not shown). The main member 12 and the base member 14 are then assembled from the poles 15. The rings 23 of the fabric portion 22 encircle the poles 15. Next, the main member 12 is simply raised and hooked up by the support means 30.

[0057] For disassembly of the net device 10, the hooked-up support means 30 can be simply removed from the two members 12, 14. Then, automatically or elastically by the strap 52, the main member 12 becomes collapsed upon the base member 14. The poles 15 are next disassembled. The rings 23 are removed from the poles 15 as the poles 15 are disassembled. The fabric portion 23 is folded. The removed support means 30 can be easily folded by slightly pulling the second half 40 of the support means 30 while holding the first half 38. Alternately, the support means 30 can be formed from detachably connected poles 15, rather than being a folding support means 30. When the support means 30 has separable poles 15 then the poles 15 are simply disassembled.

[0058] Accordingly, the collapsed pair of members 12, 14, the folded fabric portion 22 and the support means 30 can be easily stored in the storage bag (not shown).

[0059] There are many advantages of the present invention. First, the collapsible net device according to the present invention substantially improves portability by simplifying its structure. Second, a pair of members 12, 14 are assembled from detachably connected poles 15, thereby further facilitating installation and disassembly of the net device. Third, an angle between the members 12, 14 is easy to adjust using the support means 30, thereby enhancing usability.

[0060] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible by converting the aforementioned construction. Therefore, the scope of the invention shall not be limited by the specification specified above and the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A collapsible net device for stopping the flight of projectiles such as golf balls comprising: a) a fabric portion for stopping the flight of projectiles such as golf balls; b) a first set of a plurality of detachably connected poles, wherein the poles are received by the fabric portion, wherein the poles forming a main member, wherein the poles connect to form a first closed loop and the poles detach for storage; c) a base member forming a second closed loop, wherein the base member is attachable to the main member, the base member being capable of providing ground support for the net device; and d) a support rod for supporting the main member, the support rod being capable of being placed between the main member and the base member so that the main member is disposed at a substantial angle with respect to the base member, wherein the substantial angle is less than ninety degrees, the support rod being substantially rigid so that when the support rod is in place, the main member does not collapse onto the base member.
 2. The collapsible net device of claim 1, wherein the poles are straight and flexible, wherein the straight poles are bendable to form a substantially circular main member.
 3. The collapsible net device of claim 1, wherein the poles are curved.
 4. The collapsible net device of claim 3, wherein the curved poles form a substantially circular main member.
 5. The collapsible net device of claim 4, wherein the base member is formed from a second set of the plurality of detachably connected poles, wherein the poles connect to form the second closed loop, and wherein the poles detach for storage.
 6. The collapsible net device of claim 5, further having a third set of the plurality of detachably connected poles, wherein the poles connect to form the support rod, wherein the poles detach for storage.
 7. The collapsible net device of claim 6, wherein the fabric portion further having rings, wherein when the plurality of poles forming the first closed loop are detached, the rings receive the poles, wherein when the plurality of poles forming the first closed loop are connected, the rings encircle the poles.
 8. The collapsible net device of claim 7, wherein each of the poles further having a male end and a female end, whereby the female end of a pole receives the male end of another adjacent pole.
 9. The collapsible net device of claim 8, wherein the fabric portion is a mesh net.
 10. The collapsible net device of claim 8, wherein the fabric portion is a solid fabric.
 11. The collapsible net device of claim 8, wherein the fabric portion further having a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is a solid fabric and the second section is a mesh net, wherein the net of the first section is attached to the fabric of the second section, thereby forming an intersection.
 12. The collapsible net device of claim 11, wherein the fabric portion further having an interface strip, wherein the interface strip joins the first section to the second section, wherein the interface strip is attached to and covers substantially all the intersection of the first section and the second section.
 13. The collapsible net device of claim 12, further comprising an interior rim, wherein the interior rim is attached to the perimeter of the fabric portion, wherein the rings are attached to the interior rim.
 14. The collapsible net device of claim 13, wherein the rings are metal.
 15. The collapsible net device of claim 13, wherein the rings are fabric.
 16. The collapsible net device of claim 2, wherein the fabric portion further having rings wherein when the plurality of poles forming the first closed loop are detached, the rings receive the poles, wherein when the plurality of poles forming the first closed loop are connected, the rings encircle the poles.
 17. The collapsible net device of claim 16, wherein the fabric portion further having a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is a solid fabric, wherein the second section is a net.
 18. The collapsible net device of claim 17, wherein the fabric portion covering substantially about two-thirds of the first closed loop.
 19. The collapsible net device of claim 18, wherein the fabric portion further comprising a top hole, wherein one of the rings attaches to the main member at about the top hole.
 20. The collapsible net device of claim 19, further comprising one or more straps attached to the base member and attached to the main member. 